Puzzle.



L. N. MESSENGER.

PUZZLE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1913.

Patented May 5, 1914.

flttoamq LLOYD N. MESSENGER, OF LA J UN TA, COLORADO.

:E'UZZLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 5, 11914.

Application filed June 3, 1913.- SerialNo. 771,461.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LLOYD N. Mnssnnenn, a citizen of the United States, .residmg at La Junta, in the county of Otero and State- This invention relates to puzzles; and it has for its primary object the provision of a device of this character which may be made in the form of'an article of jewelry, such as a ring, including a plurality of circular elements of substantially identical formation which are connected together somewhat in the manner of a chain and arranged with interfitting design forming portions which when associated with each other under a given solution to the puzzle will form, in a measure a binder for holding the various elements operatively associated relatively and in complete ring form, so that when engaged upon the finger the said interfitting portions of the elements will give to the article an extremely ornamental finish. With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts,- as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the puzzle, showing the companion circular elements thereof hung from one another; Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the initial step necessary to connect the first and second elements with each other; 'Fig. 3 is'a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the second step necessary to an interfitting association of the third element with the second element; Fig. 4 is a similar view, showing the third step, necessary to the association of the fourth element with the third element; Fig. 5 is a similar view, showing the connection of the fifth element with the fourth element; Fig. 6 is a similar view, showing the association of the sixth element with the fifth element; and Fig. 7 is a similar View, showing the final assemblage" of the last element, so that the elements in their entirety form a complete finger ring with l the interfitting portions presenting the design.

While it is intended in the construction of the puzzle to employ any suitable numbe'r'of circular elements, it will be described for the purpose of clearness that seven elements are preferably employed of subtantially identical formation. The elements may be constructed of silver or gold wire and arranged whereby to be suspended from one another when disassembled. The elements 1 and 7 are identical with one another, and each is provided with a crimped surface 8 forming a part of the ring ornamentation when all of the elements are arranged in the position shown in Fig. 7. The elements 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are allsubstantially of identical formation and slightly differ from the elements 1 and 7, in that each has formed therein two or a greater number of crimped portions 9 and 10, each defining an offset receiving space 1.1 for the adjacent crimped portion of the next element.

In describing the solution to the" puzzle, it is stated that the section 1 is held in one hand of the operator while the section 2 is manipulated with the other hand so as to cause the crimped portion nearest the operator to engage in the receiving offset recess 8 of the element 1 and to dispose the adjacent ofiset recess of the second element so as I to receive one of the crimped portions of the third element or the one numbered 3 in the drawings. The remaining elements of the device aresuccessively manipulated in a like manner so that the interfitting portions thereof may be finally associated so as to present surface ornamentation to the ring, as will be understood.

By offsetting the crimped portions as described, it is evident that all of the various elements of the device when inter-associatedwill be perfectly alined so that the finger receiving space will be uninterrupted and the device-in its entirety made to snugly fit the finger with sufficient friction between the elements and the finger to maintain a definite ring formation of the device in its entirety.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is A puzzle ring comprising an equal num-' ber of identical loops each formed from a single piece of material and provided with a crimped portion having angularly-disposed.

branches, and an unequal number of intermediate loops respectively connected with each other and with the end loops, the said intermediate loops each being provided with oriniped portions interfitting each other when the loops are disposed side by side, the crimped portions of certain of the intermediate loops being respectively interconnected with the crimped portions of the end loops and with the crimped portions of oeaaoe the next adjacent intermediate loop, all of the portions when interassociated with each other defining an unbroken ornamentation of substantially rope'shaped design and being mutually engaged in such manner that will prevent the loops from shifting relatively around and against each other.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

LLOYD N. MESSENGER. Witnesses:

WALTER J. FROST, J. T. Pnossnn. 

